Brewery's 10th was a big festival

Three Creeks Brewing Co. celebrated its 10th birthday in style. Hundreds of people came out to the brewery's celebration on Saturday at its production facility in the Sisters Industrial Park.

The party highlighted the recently released 10th Anniversary Imperial IPA. Pub brewer Pat Shea developed the recipe on the brewery's 10-barrel pub system.

"We created a classic Northwest imperial malt profile and paired it with many of the new Northwest variety of hops," Shea said. "It's a double IPA that's really big in every department, a superbly balanced beer. Our gift back to everybody."

In addition to the anniversary IPA, the brewery had Throwback Series label, representing their favorites throughout the years.

"Several of these are based on the original recipes dated to the brewpub opening 10 years ago," added Shea. "Including 8 Second IBA, Anvil Amber and Old Prospector Pale Ale."

After seven years of business, Three Creeks Brewing expanded with its additional production facility.

"When we first opened in 2008 the bottom could have fallen out if the community wasn't a big support to us," said Three Creeks Brewing Co. owner Wade Underwood. "We enjoy being connected to the community, and we donate proceeds back because the community supports us."

The brewery threw more than a 10-year anniversary party, they celebrated with folks who have helped them along the way.

"And just shy of the 10-year anniversary, our facility recently added on two new uni-tanks, allowing us to increase our production by 40 percent," said Ashley Woody, marketing manager and event coordinator.

Woody hails from Los Angeles and was hired by the brewery just one year ago.

"I always loved and had a natural knack for social media, so I got a job working for a digital marketing agency, which taught me a lot about social growth, analytics and tactics, but it lacked a sense of creativity," Woody said.

Upon moving to Central Oregon, Woody knew she wanted to work for a company she believed in.

"That's when I met Wade. I asked him if he was looking for a marketing person. He was, and since then, we've made a great team," she said.

"Being from such a large city, coming into Sisters has been a real treat. It's a community that I've always longed for! It takes a village, and, although I've only been with Three Creeks for a year, it's so obvious that the success is attributed to the locals."

Visitors at the celebration got a chance to check out food trucks, cotton candy, a photo booth and a dunk tank, with Three Creeks Brewing Co. owner as bait!

And Bruce Boeshams from Culver was all smiles after hitting a bullseye with the ball that dunked Underwood.

"I told him I was going to come and get him," Boesham said, laughing. "I used to be a distributor for Wade, and we've been friends for a long time."

Donations for the dunk tank went to Circle of Friends, a nonprofit mentoring program. And donations for the cotton candy went to Warfighter Outfitters, a non-profit guide and outfitter service that provides no-charge fishing and hunting trips for wounded veterans

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District was on hand for kids to tour through a fire truck.

The lively bluegrass punk band Larry and His Flask kept folks hoppin' during the party.

There was a bounce house with a slide that all the little folk tried, obstacle courses, and, of course, beer.

And after 10 years, Three Creeks Brewing Co. is now distributing throughout all of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and soon to be in California. The brewery has won the most prestigious awards that the beer industry has to offer, including their most recent successes at the World Beer Cup.

Every two years the Brewers Association hosts the World Beer Cup that is held during the annual Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America. The 2018 World Beer Cup Award ceremony was held at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. 295 judges from 33 countries evaluated and judged 8,234 different beers during six sessions over a three-day period for the 2018 World Cup.

And Three Creeks Brewing Co. won two Silver Awards. One for the McKay's Scottish Ale and the other for their FivePine Chocolate Porter.

"The World Beer Cup is an international competition that happens every two years," Shea said. "It was our first time ever winning as a brewery!"